Air plasma and corona discharge interactions with PVC surfaces studied by AFM and XPS

Tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been used to study the effects of low power air plasma and corona discharge treatments on PVC surfaces. Despite the similarities in the chemical changes that occur, the topographical nature and structural integrity of these treated surfaces are shown to be very different. The plasma is only capable of interacting the outer surface of the polymer whereas the u.v. generated in the corona discharge penetrates into its sublayers.